The Diamond Dogs will look to continue their win streak against an inter-state foe (Courtesy of @FresnoStateBSB X page)
As the programs of the Mountain West continue to run through the non-conference portion of the season, we here at Mountain West Connection want to highlight a marquee matchup each weekend until conference play. This week, we will take a look at the Fresno State Bulldogs as they travel a short distance to take on the Stanford Cardinal after a mixed start to their 2026.
The Mountain West Conference champion Bulldogs have had their work cut out for them to start the year, going against the Utah Utes and Pepperdine Waves, both of which were at home. Fresno State had their series cut short due to weather against the Utes, only playing three games where they dropped the first two 8-3 and 5-4, but redeemed itself in the last game 14-8. The Diamond Dogs bounced back in the right direction during the next weekend against Pepperdine, dropping the first game 2-1 and winning the next three by a combined score of 32-16.
With momentum in their sails from a three-game win streak, Fresno State will travel for the first time this season to Stanford, Calif. to take on the Cardinal from Feb. 27-March 1. Stanford has been dead even so far with a 4-4 record featuring a wide variety of different schools, including No. 24/UR Arizona (W 10-7), Michigan (L 6-7) , No. 12/19 Oregon State (L 2-3) and Nebraska (W 11-8). The Cardinal are coming off of a home series against Cal State Fullerton where they split the extremely close four-game series and a quick 11-3 exhibition win against Waseda University.
Both schools have had their mix of win and losses and are looking to build up even more momentum to open up March on the right foot, and have to go through the other to do so in this weekend’s three-game set.
Fresno State (4-3) vs Stanford (4-4)
Location: Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Stanford, Calif.
Friday, Feb. 27: 2:05 p.m. PSTSaturday, Feb. 28: 2:05 p.m. PSTSunday, March 1: 1:05 p.m. PST
Broadcast: ACC Network/ESPN+
History: Fresno State is 8-31 against Stanford all time, losing nine of the last 10 matchups against the Cardinal. Stanford won the last game between the two 11-8 on March 28, 2021
Three things to keep an eye on
1) Fresno State have been monsters at the plate
It was no surprise that Fresno State were going to have some hitting spectacles with who they have on their roster, but I don’t think many were expecting what they have done in their games so far. Over the course of their first eight games, the Diamond Dogs have had five players with an on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage above .800, which is considered to be the threshold for any above average hitter in the professionals. Familiar names like senior catcher/first baseman Griffen Sotomayor (.893) and graduate outfielder Sky Collins (.914) grace the list with freshman infielders Brady Hewitt (.973), Mikey Boyd (.938) and redshirt freshman outfielder Barclay Ovalle (.852) also joining the list.
Outside of the great outlook this gives the Bulldogs in the long term, this performance from two household names and three players looking to make it to that level is a great indicator of what this year’s Fresno State squad can do at the plate. And if they are able to keep this up going into Stanford, the Diamond Dogs should have no problem battling with the Cardinal this weekend.
2) Great bullpen features (and ace play) despite shaky start
Although the Bulldogs have had struggles keeping their opponents from scoring less than four runs (only two of their seven games so far), there has been some immaculate bullpen work from the program. Senior BJ Rodriguez and juniors Doug Crystal and Will Page-Allen have been great on the bump, combining for 14 innings pitched, six hits, four runs (only two earned) and 12 strikeouts. Rodriguez especially has been electric, posting a perfect zero ERA through five innings pitched.
But it’s not just the relief pitchers who are dealing. Redshirt senior Drew Townson has also been part of the greatness as well, posting a 2.16 ERA in two starts, giving up seven hits, five runs (two earned) and six walks with seven strikeouts. While he hasn’t posted a win so far, his only loss was in the season opener against the Utes, as he redeemed himself against Pepperdine with six scoreless innings. This four man crew have been dominant to start the season, which can prove to be the answer to Stanford’s decent/good batting so far.
3) Things might come down to pitching late
Stanford has a mixed starting rotation, with one great starter in sophomore Parker Warner (0.93 ERA, 9.2 IP), one decent option in junior Aiden Keenan (3.48 ERA, 10.1 IP) and two that probably want their outings back in senior Nick Dugan (6.23 ERA, 8.2 IP) and freshman Brock Ketelsen (6.75 ERA, 5.1 IP). However, just like Fresno State, the Cardinal have some gas in the bullpen. In 17 combined innings across 10 appearances, Stanford freshman Colt Peterson and seniors Toran O’Harran and Trevor Moore have a zero ERA with 10 hits and 16 strikeouts. Again, the Cardinal have three relief pitchers with a 0.00 ERA, having faced all of the power schools mentioned in the rundown across the three players.
Now, of course Fresno State will most likely not have to face all three of the aforementioned men in all three games. However, if the Bulldogs are not able to get the bats hot like they were able to against Pepperdine, especially early on, then the weekend will come down to which program’s bullpen can hold off the other’s advances, a treat for anyone who likes pitcher’s duels.